AU Fic. Gaara's in love with his best friend; Naruto. But can Gaara deal with some new competition? Will he lose Naruto forever? How many hearts will be broken in the process? Highschoolfic. SasuxNaru,GaaxNaru,ShikaXHin DISCONTINUED. See version 2.

Author's
Note: Ah, So… I'd
like to begin by saying sorry to my past readers on the atrocious
timing of this story. I am deeply sorry for how long it took, and I
could sit here for hours listing every excuse I could think of... But
that would waste both your time and mine. So instead, I grace you
with a lovely new story, stripped right from my very own imagination.

I'd
like to thank my reviewers from Black Wolf/Golden Fox, not only for
taking the time to review, but for being patient in wait for this
one;

Gaara
and Naruto have been best friends since they can remember, but sadly,
Gaara's been in love with her for just as long. He's been keeping
the guy's at bay, but when the new kid Sasuke decides to claim poor
Naruto for his own; will Gaara lose his best friend? And with a
budding romance with Hinata, who's to say he won't lose to love?
How many hearts will be broken in the process of this love story?

Lets
find out…

Chapter 1:
And so it begins.

- - - - - - - - - - -

A
boy sat at the top of his high school's steps; headphones on and
blaring. He was dressed in a black hoodie over a dark t shirt, black
leather gloves, black skinny jeans with chains, and converse. His
dark teal eyes -- set under an Ai tattoo on his forehead -- probed
the grounds, watching. The breeze ruffled his spiky blood red hair.
Gaara was waiting for his friend to arrive. People walked past him,
not really noticing him. He's something of an outcast here you see;
with his dark attire, attitude, and bad-ass reputation. No one comes
around him much anymore. They stopped trying long ago -- well, except
a few.

Speaking
of which...

"Um,
Sabaku san?" He looked up to see a young raven haired girl
standing in front of him. He pulled his headphones off his ears, and
sighed inwardly. It was the Hyuuga girl who had a crush on him. Not
that there was anything wrong with her. She never really even talked
to him. He looked her over; light purple halter, and black capri's,
and black flats. He supposed she was cute, and with her short
black-blue hair, and lavender eyes; she stood out from a crowd. She
was just so… quiet. He looked up at her.

"Yes
Hinata?"

She
blushed. "I ... I was wondering if you've seen Naruto chan yet
today." He regarded her expression for a moment. She seemed a
bit hopeful.

"Um,
thank you..." She turned away, and headed for the school
entrance. Gaara followed her with his eyes.

"Hinata?"

She
stopped. "Yes?" she asked turning slowly to face him.

He
gave her a small smile. "Please
just call me Gaara like Naruto does," he said quietly, "there's
no need for all the formality." Hinata blushed deeply.

"Alright,
thank you Gaara san." She turned quickly and fled into the
school, not looking back. He sighed. She obviously wouldn't drop the
'san' anytime soon. Gaara turned back to watching the front of the
school yard, wondering if he had just made a mistake encouraging
Hinata like that. Would she assume he liked her now? He didn't need a
problem such as that at the moment. It was bad enough he was in love
with a girl who was oblivious to every move he made on her. He sighed
audibly. He was in love with his best friend. He's been in love with
her for as long as he could remember. As long as she was by his side,
he had no problem with her dating other guys…

Okay,
sure, fine! He freaked out on a few guys for trying to go out with
Naruto. He had to kick a few asses now and again, but really ...
who's counting? Naruto was oblivious to everything, and just thought
it was really odd when guys stopped asking her out altogether. Not to
mention the fact that people started avoiding her when she was with
Gaara ... and avoiding Gaara in general. But it was high school after
all. Teenagers are freaks; it's natural for them to make no sense. So
he was safe. It's not like anyone actually tried to tell Naruto what
was happening... Gaara made it clear that doing that would have some
very painful outcomes…

Anyways...
where was Naruto? Gaara glanced around. There weren't many people
outside anymore. It must be close to homeroom. He heard quick, light
footsteps, and looked to the front gates, in time to see Naruto come
running through, headed straight for him. She caught sight of him on
the steps, and waved.

"Morning
Gaara!" she yelled. His eyes warmed at the sight of her. He
raised a hand in a wave, and stood. He watched as Naruto approached
him. His eyes widened though, when he realized she had no intent of
stopping. As she reached the bottom of the steps -- she jumped,
launching herself at him, arms outstretched as if to hug him. He had
enough time to brace himself -- a bit -- but it wasn't enough. She
hit him and he stumbled back, falling onto the cement. As his arms
were busy keeping her from hurting herself when they fell, he
took the full force of the impact.

They
were still for a moment, and then Naruto moaned. "Shit ..."
Gaara tried to move and groaned.

"Ugh
... fuck ... Naruto you idiot ..." Naruto opened her eyes,
concern and pain laced in her expression.

"Oh!
I'm so sorry Gaara! I didn't ... think it through." She looked
away. She tried to getting off him, to no avail. "Uh, Gaara you
can let go now.." He looked up at her, realizing his arms were
still locked tight around her.

"Oh
... sorry." He let go, and she stood up.

"Ow,
remind me not to do that again." She said, brushing the dirt off
herself carefully.

He
rolled his eyes. "No problem." He stood gracefully, wincing
slightly at the pain in his back. He stretched himself out, back
cracking loudly. Naruto winced.

"Ew.
Sounds painful." He raised a non-existent eyebrow, as if to say
'excuse me?'. She raised her hands defensively.

"I
get it, I get it ... my bad" She sighed, and bent down to gather
the things that fell out of her bag. He looked her over. Shaggy blond
hair to her shoulders. Black leather jacket that came mid torso,
covering a tight black t shirt with a pink skull on it. A black skirt
with black leggings, and pink converse. Her beautiful blue eyes were
outlined with a thick black line of eyeliner. He took in her beauty
for a long moment, and then as she stood, he smirked.

"No
orange? What's wrong with you today Naruto?" He asked, his voice
full of mock worry. She shook her blond bangs out of her eyes, and
winked.

"Oh
... there's orange alright."

Gaara
chuckled, shaking his head to rid himself of images of lacey things.
"Didn't need to know that."

She
stuck out her tongue. "You love it." She said, and grabbed
his hand. "Come on! We're gonna be late you slowpoke!" He
sighed, letting himself be dragged along.

"You
do realize you
are the reason we're late almost every day?"

She
made a face at that comment. "You do realize you could come pick
me up for school sometimes ... Or you could just head to class
yourself," she said in a know-it-all voice.

Gaara
smiled slightly and shook his head. "I
wait for you to make sure you get to class on time ... or at least
close to the right time. And as for option one." he lowered his
voice, in case anyone was in earshot. "Your sister scares me;
I'd rather not go there too often." Naruto laughed at that one.

"Kyuu
chan isn't that scary. Besides, I wanted you to come over after
school. She said to tell you she misses seeing you in the mornings."
At this comment, Gaara actually looked worried for a moment. Naruto
gave him a pitying glance. "I swear, she's not gonna try
anything this time, she got herself a new boyfriend." A look of
relief washed over Gaara's face. His face quickly emptied of emotion
a moment later when they entered the classroom. No need to ruin his
reputation.

Naruto
watched his face change, and screwed up her own face in distaste.
"You know, I wish you wouldn't cover yourself up like that
Gaara.." She muttered, quietly so only he would hear. Suddenly
they were interrupted.

"Naruto
chan! I was looking for you!" They looked up to see Hinata
making her way over to them.

Naruto
smiled, "Good morning Hinata!" she said cheerfully. Gaara
slipped his hand away from hers as the girls embraced. He made his
way to the back of the classroom, weaving though students. He felt no
need to intrude on their conversation. Hinata seemed disappointed
that he left so soon though, and a few moments later -- after they
were finished talking -- she came and joined them. She usually sat at
the front with Kiba, Shino, and that annoying blond ... what was her
name? Ino? Bah ... whatever.

"Gaara
san ... would you ...?" She caught his expression. "How are
you? Hinata asked quietly, looking away.

"I'm
fine.. How are you?"

She
blushed. "Fine." Naruto watched them, nudging Hinata when
she responded. Gaara raised a invisible eyebrow. Naruto sighed,
irritated at something, and leaned over to whisper in Hinata's ear.

"Hinata
... just ask him!" Hinata blushed very deeply at that. She
looked at anything but Gaara. Gaara sighed. This is what he though
would happen, as soon as she slipped up in her greeting. He stood,
and held a hand out to Hinata. She looked up at him confused.

"Could
I talk to you in a more private place please, Hinata?" She
blushed and looked towards the front of the classroom. The teacher
wasn't here yet. Naruto smiled, knowing what she was thinking.

"I'll
cover you guys if he comes, okay?" Gaara nodded, and pulled
Hinata gently out of the classroom, getting odd looks from various
students. He pulled her down the hallways, and into a deserted
corridor. He then stopped and turned to her.

She
blushed and looked away. After a moment of silence, she spoke. "Y-you
wanted to say something, Gaara san?"

He
gave her a kind look. "It's you
that wanted to say something Hinata. What was it?"

She
blushed and looked away. "I-it's nothing ..." She tried to
turn away, but he caught her hand turning her back to him and pulling
her closer. He turned her to face him. He met her eyes for a moment,
then he turned away and sighed deeply.

"Hinata
... there's something you need to know." Her breath caught in
her throat, and he winced slightly. "You see, I know you like
me, but I can't return your feelings." She looked utterly
crushed at that.

He
sighed. "I know this is a bad time, but could I confess
something to you?"

She
was quiet for a moment, then looked up at him slowly. "Wh- what
is it?"

"I
-" He stopped for a moment, not sure how to say it. "It's
not that I don't like you. You're a sweet, kind girl. I hold a lot of
respect for you. I'm just ... in love with someone else."

Hinata
smiled sadly. "I
thought so.. It's Naruto chan isn't it?" He froze for a moment. She
laughed. "Don't worry about it, I just had a feeling. She doesn't
have a clue."

Hinata
smiled sweetly. "Awe...
Poor Gaara kun." Gaara smiled faintly at the change of honorific.
Hinata watched him for a moment. He looked up to see her staring at
him thoughtfully.

"What?"

Hinata
gave him a small smile. "I-I
could ... find out if she likes you."

Gaara
blushed. He flailed his arms defensively in front of his face.
"No, don't worry about it
Hinata! I'm fine. I'll just ... tell her myself ... just, not today."
He mumbled the last part, turning away from her. She laughed lightly.
He turned back, slightly entranced at the sound. She leaned forward
quickly and kissed Gaara on the cheek.

"You
are so cute Gaara kun. You better be careful with Naruto though ...
She won't stay single forever." She said blushing. "But we must
get back to class. Kakashi sensei will be arriving shortly." And
with that she turned and walked back down the hall towards the class,
leaving Gaara standing alone.

He
stood in quiet contemplation. A light blush grazed his cheeks, a hand
raised to his face where she kissed him. He shook his head. Hinata
had a point. He needed to let Naruto know, and quickly before she's
snatched up by another guy. He frowned. Yes ... that would be very
bad. He then turned and followed Hinata's trail back to class, her
words echoing in his head over and over.

"You'd
better be careful... She won't stay single forever..."

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